Wednesday

Star Wars! Nuthin' but Star Wars! Give me those Star Wars! Don't let 'em end!Sung in your best Bill Murray as lounge-singer Nick Winters voice, of course.And of course it's not entirely true that “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the new hope, is the only thing on screen for the holidays. It's just the biggest thing, the Death Star-sized present with all the glittering, shiny promise that, if it for some reason should turn out to be socks and underwear, will almost certainly crush the holidays into a ball of Jar-Jar.So no pressure.But this time of year is also exceptional for regular old grown-up prestige films, too, with distributors playing on the ADHD tendencies of Oscar voters, and the sort of in-between, oddball might-be-entertaining stuff offered by David O. Russell.As usual, this is just a possibility list for Tuscaloosa: Some of these may not open in town until later, when awards nominations raise the stakes, or not at all, should The Force be strong in demanding all the screens.

OPENED THIS WEEK

“Creed”: Give thanks for one last gasp from the Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) machine, as the near-decrepit boxer beefs up the son of the late Apollo Creed, played by Michael B. Jordan, to train to follow in his dad's footsteps. Great early buzz on this one, directed and co-written by Ryan Coogler, whose 2014 “Fruitvale Station” tore up awards ceremonies.“The Good Dinosaur”: Pixar imagines dinosaurs never got wiped out, and early humans lived side-by-side with 'em. Arlo the Apatosaurus makes a tiny simian friend.“The Night Before”: Three buds (puns always intended) light up for one last night-before-Christmas mad bash; a comedy reteaming “50/50” stars Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, with Anthony Mackie and Lizzy Caplan. “Victor Frankenstein”: In this odd blending of parts, Daniel Radcliffe plays Igor and James McAvoy the doctor. Yes, it's an origin story. Whether it's alive or not is up in the air. Early reviews are not promising.“Secret in Their Eyes”: A fine cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Julia Roberts, Alfred Molina and Nicole Kidman, chase a close-to-home murder for more than a decade.

FRIDAY“Spotlight”: This hot Oscar-buzz drama finally reaches Tuscaloosa this weekend; catch it before the onslaught pushes it away. It's based on the true story of the Boston Globe's investigations into the Catholic Church's sex-abuse coverup scandal; an early hit at Telluride, Toronto and Venice film festivals, starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Leiv Schreiber, Stanley Tucci and more.“Brooklyn”: More of a slow-burn story, with Saoirse Ronan in the coming-of-age tale of an Irish immigrant in the 1950s; another Sundance favorite.

DEC. 4“Krampus”: A Festivus for the rest of us, in this horror-comedy loosely based on the German evil twin of St. Nick. Krampus' list is All-Naughty. Starring Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner and Conchata Ferrell.

DEC. 11“In the Heart of the Sea”: Ron Howard directs this whale of an adventure tale based on a true event from the 1820s, when whaling ship Essex was haunted and destroyed by a leviathan, stranding its crew for months. The saga inspired Melville's “Moby-Dick.” Starring Chris Hemsworth, Frank Dillane, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson and Michelle Fairley.“Legend”: Brian Helgeland (“A Knight's Tale,” “L.A. Confidential”) directs Tom Hardy in a dual role as twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray, who became notorious criminals in '60s London.

DEC. 18“Sisters”: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, as siblings reuniting for one last party in their childhood home, are the only comedic force in the 'verse that dares go against Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie and whatever new lightsabers might come.“Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens”: For most, just knowing J.J. Abrams, a huge fan of the franchise, would direct and co-write — with Lawrence Kasdan (“Empire Strikes Back,” “Return of the Jedi,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “The Big Chill”) — would probably have been enough. But then came news THAT Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher would return, and the chillbumps began, years in advance. They'll be joined by newcomers (to the series, at least) John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Gwendoline Christie, Simon Pegg, Domhnall Gleeson, Daisy Ridley, Lupita Nyong'o, Adam Driver and Andy Serkis. Also returning will be Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, and the dreams of millions. Help us, J.J.: You're our only hope.

DEC. 23“The Big Short”: With director Adam McKay (the “Anchorman” movies, “Talladega Nights,” “Step Brothers”) and star Steve Carell, this might sound funnier than it is; it's a based-on-truth tale of Wall Street corruption, with Carell as a stock specialist who won by betting against greedy banks. Also starring Christian Bale, Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling.“Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip”: The fourth of the modern series. It's beginning to appear that children today aren't terribly discerning filmgoers.

DEC. 25“Joy”: Writer-director David O. Russell (“American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “The Fighter”) re-unites his “Silver Linings” team of Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper in a story based on entrepreneur Joy Mangano (Lawrence), who invents the Miracle Mop, and with new-found fortune inciting the usual problems, tries to maintain family ties.“Concussion”: Based-on-truth story of Dr. Bennet Omalu's (Will Smith) findings of football-related brain trauma, and how the NFL and others tried to shut him down.“Daddy's Home”: Asking the question very few have been asking: Is Will Ferrell still capable of making funny movies? Answer: Possibly, although we can't forget the cautionary horror story of Adam Sandler. In this one, he's trying to worm his way back into his family, when his ex-wife starts dating a new guy (Mark Wahlberg).“Point Break”: A remake of the FBI surfer-crime movie, and if you care, you probably already hate this. Starring no one you'll remember five minutes after it's over in the Keanu and Swayze roles.“The Revenant”: Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Birdman”), and starring Leo DiCaprio as an 1820s frontier guide, attacked by a bear, and abandoned for dead by a pair of fur trappers. He travels 300 miles across the snowy deathscape for vengeance. And again: Based on a true story.

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